**Background**
The gastrointestinal tract is home to a complex community of microorganisms that play a critical role in maintaining systemic health and immune homeostasis. Dysbiosis, or the imbalance of this microbiome, is closely linked to various inflammatory conditions, most notably colitis. Experimental colitis models are frequently used to study intestinal inflammation and evaluate potential therapeutic interventions. Recent research has highlighted the role of taste receptors, which are expressed not only in the oral cavity but also throughout the gastrointestinal tract, as potential modulators of gut health and bacterial growth. Understanding how non-nutritive substances interact with these receptors provides new insights into managing inflammatory bowel diseases. In this context, we will introduce a non-caloric artificial sweetener with microbiome-modulating properties – Saccharin.
**Definition**
Saccharin is an orally active, non-caloric artificial sweetener (NAS) that acts as a ligand for specific taste receptors, including the heteromeric G protein-coupled sweet taste receptors T1R2/T2R3 and the bitter taste receptors T2R43 and T2R44.
**In Vitro and In Vivo Studies**
According to the Saccharin description, this compound exhibits significant bacteriostatic and microbiome-modulating properties. In terms of Saccharin in vitro activity, treatment with 5 mM Saccharin for 0-14 hours has been shown to exhibit bacteriostatic effects against several pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The Saccharin in vivo data further demonstrate its protective effects on intestinal health. In mouse models, supplementing drinking water with Saccharin for 35 days resulted in reduced levels of bacterial 16S rRNA in fecal samples. Furthermore, Saccharin supplementation in water for 7 days was found to improve intestinal inflammation in acute experimental colitis C57BL/6J wt mice. Additionally, a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL supplemented in water for 5 weeks exerted a protective influence on chronic DSS-colitis in mice. These findings suggest that Saccharin can modulate the gut microbiota to alleviate inflammatory responses in the colon. In conclusion, Saccharin is a microbiome-modulating agent that inhibits bacterial growth and reduces experimental colitis in vivo.
Keywords
Saccharin, 128-44-9, Bacterial, oral, non-caloric, artificial, sweeteners, NAS, bacteriostatic, microbiome, Inhibitor, inhibitor, inhibit
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